Ethiopian Airlines plans to begin flights to Australia in 2028, completing its continental expansion, pending the acquisition of at least two wide-body aircraft for ultra-long-haul operations.
According to africa.businessinsider, the carrier, widely regarded as Africa’s largest and most connected airline, currently serves 145 cities across five continents. Australia remains the only continent not covered by its network.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the expansion is dependent on securing additional long-haul, wide-body aircraft capable of operating one of the world’s longest commercial routes.
“We need to secure at least two large aircraft to operate to the continent,” Tasew said, noting that delivery timelines from manufacturers remain a key constraint. “It will take at least two years to receive the aircraft.”
While Ethiopian Airlines is set to receive Boeing 737 Max aircraft over the next two years, these narrow-body jets are not suited for ultra-long-haul operations. The wide-body aircraft required for direct services to Australia are not expected to arrive until 2028.
“We will most likely start flying to Australia in 2028, either by renting or purchasing, as a larger batch of aircraft will arrive after that year,” Tasew added.
The chief executive cautioned that the launch timeline ultimately hinges on aircraft availability, underscoring the global supply chain pressures still affecting the aviation industry.
The airline has already shortlisted two Australian cities for the planned launch, although Tasew declined to name them. A final decision will be made once the appropriate aircraft are secured.
If successful, the move would further cement Ethiopian Airlines’ status as Africa’s dominant aviation player, strengthening trade, tourism, and connectivity between Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
